Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

BOOK STATS

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Title: The Shadows Between Us
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover
Length: 326 pages
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Release Date: February 25, 2020
Source: personal collection
Recommended for fans of: The Bridge Kingdom, scheming lady assassins, dark romance
Content Warnings: violence, assassination attempts

SYNOPSIS

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

MY THOUGHTS

I am surprised by how much I absolutely loved this book. I fully expected this to be a 4 star book, but I then I fell in love with the characters and their enemies-to-lovers romance!

I loved Alessandra’s ruthlessness, confidence, and her wardrobe (please someone help me find some fanart of her outfits)! And of course I fell for Kallias, the mysterious and seclusive Shadow King who secretly craves connection (because fantasy readers have a TYPE).

Although many of the plot twists were predictable (except one that absolutely blew my mind), the action, scheming, and romantic angst more than made up for it. This book is largely about plotting murder and actual murder, but it just made me feel good!

My only complaint is that this book is YA. The story would’ve been perfection as an NA fantasy romance with a little more steam.